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by Debi Metcalfe
The gates at Camp El Har church camp were checked, every horse was taken care of and they were turned out into their pasture for the night. The camp had 10 lesson horses used to teach church members to ride, but two have been stolen.
Tuesday two horses did not come when they were called up to be fed and watered. It was not until Tiffany Gardner later walked the fence line on foot that she noticed the wire had been cut. It was at that moment she knew the horses had been stolen!
The children at Camp El Har are devastated that someone stole Zip and Blaze, sorrel Quarter Horse mares from the southwest Dallas church camp. Owner Tiffany Gardner says, “They were taken by the thief from their stable, led through three other properties to a trailer parked on the service road of Spur 408 and then loaded on a trailer.” She continues, “I feel violated, insecure and can’t help thinking about where they are at this very moment.”
Any child’s horse is special, but Zip and Blaze are a little more-so than most. Since 2009, Zip has been faithfully serving riders at the church camp with her patient personality. “Even on days when Zip is stubborn, I learn something from her,” says Gardner of the nine year old mare who came into her life in 2006 as Finally Got Zipped, aka “Zip.”
The second horse stolen, Blaze, enjoys taking children on their first trail ride, or giving them confidence in the round pen. “Blaze is challenging today, but she taught me to be tactful! Ever since she came to the camp in 2009, she has been a favorite. She is a horse that is able to bring a smile to even the most tentative child. If I were going for a relaxing trail ride, I would choose her,” Gardner says about the 12 year old sorrel mare Blaze.
Stolen Horse International, Inc. received an online report on its Web site, www.NetPosse.com, filed by Gardner and, in short order, began distributing the information via their NetPosse.com Alert (the horse community’s Amber Alert) on the Internet to hundreds of social media groups and to thousands of individuals in an effort to rally the public to help this camp in need. A nonprofit organization, NetPosse, is well known in the equine community for horse theft education and assistance in recovering stolen or missing horses, as well as other equine equipment.
A printable flyer for Blaze and Zip stays updated with any new information for people to print and share. This pair's report is number NR001530.
“Blaze and Zip’s flyer needs to be posted in all public places since it is possible that someone has seen the horses and does not know who to contact. And remember, not everyone is on the internet, especially in rural areas of the country. It is up to those who are on the internet to print the flyer and make sure these horses are seen in public places,” says Stolen Horse International founder Debi Metcalfe. These flyers are the tool that bring home many horses and must be posted in as many public places as possible. NetPosse recommends posting in tack and feed stores, auction barns, restaurants, and convenience stores; in short, anywhere that area people, and potential witnesses, congregate.
“The best idea was to file a report on www.netposse.com. Debi Metcalfe called me personally to help me with finding and getting the word out about the horses!” Gardner said.
“At NetPosse.com we never underestimate the power of one. If you are reading this information you are now that “one”. You can make a difference. I cannot encourage you enough to act now and help this camp when they need you most. Print a flyer immediately and post it right away!” says Metcalfe. “You never know who will post the flyers that bring Blaze and Zip home.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Dallas Police Department or NetPosse.com with information.
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